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Universal Service Modernization
FCC Tries to Avert Threatened Satellite Cutoff
Submitted by Benton Foundation on August 3, 2008 - 1:23pmLast updated: August 3, 2008 - 1:26pm
Federal Communications Commission Kevin Martin issued a last-minute appeal to a satellite telecommunications company Friday, urging it to continue providing Internet and other satellite-based services to a subscriber despite a contract dispute.
Congress may revamp phone fees that subsidize rural service
Submitted by Benton Foundation on July 29, 2008 - 3:36pmLast updated: July 29, 2008 - 3:37pm
Congress is building toward major reform of a program that subsidizes rural phone service with billions of dollars in fees charged to all land-line and wireless customers. Reform of the Universal Service Fund - which also subsidizes phone and Internet service for schools, libraries and rural health care providers - is one of the biggest issues facing telecommunications companies.
Waxman wants to know how much AT&T, Verizon, others receive from Universal Service Fund
Submitted by Benton Foundation on July 28, 2008 - 6:53pmLast updated: July 28, 2008 - 6:54pm
Henry Waxman, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, on Monday sent letters to 24 companies seeking information about how much money they receive from the Universal Service Fund's high cost program and how they spend it.
Brodsky's Sham
Submitted by Benton Foundation on July 27, 2008 - 6:52pmLast updated: July 27, 2008 - 6:53pm
There's no love loss between Public Knowledge's Art Brodsky and anyone connected to Connected Nation, so after Brodsky published another story critical of CN last week, CN was quick to respond. Taylor, CN's Chief Analyst, accuses Brodsky of manufacturing "gotchya," conspiring, and "distorting the truth into complete fabrications."
Connected Nation's Private Interests Hit In FCC Comments
Submitted by Benton Foundation on July 24, 2008 - 8:23pmLast updated: July 24, 2008 - 8:24pm
The Federal Communications Commission's rulemaking on collecting broadband data has brought some of the critics of Connect Kentucky/Connected Nation to the fore, while challenging the semi-sacred status of the "public-private partnership."
Possible shutdown of Navajo Internet pushed back
Submitted by Benton Foundation on July 22, 2008 - 8:43pmLast updated: July 22, 2008 - 8:43pm
The Navajo Nation has temporarily averted having its Internet services shut down, a tribal official said. SES Americom, which provides bandwidth for the services, had threatened to halt service by noon Tuesday if the company was not paid for services rendered.
Nation's Largest ISPs Crafting Fake National Broadband Policy
Submitted by Benton Foundation on July 20, 2008 - 8:02pmLast updated: July 20, 2008 - 8:03pm
Last week AT&T, Verizon, Comcast and a handful of other companies sent a letter to Congress asking it to embrace a "national broadband policy." In it, the traditionally regulation-petrified ISPs suddenly embrace two broadband mapping laws.
Union, Industry Push For Congressional Broadband Action
Submitted by Benton Foundation on July 16, 2008 - 7:35amLast updated: July 17, 2008 - 8:39pm
The Communications Workers of America (CWA) has ramped up its lobbying efforts on the Hill, calling on House and Senate leaders to support legislation aimed at developing a national broadband policy.
Greater Oversight of Universal Service Fund Needed
Submitted by Benton Foundation on July 10, 2008 - 8:24pmLast updated: July 14, 2008 - 3:29pm
The Government Accountability Office released a report questioning the Federal Communications Commission's oversight of the Universal Service Fund's (USF) High Cost program, a multibillion dollar, nationwide program aimed at ensuring affordable access to communications services in largely rural areas.
Universal Service Reform: Start With Accountability
Submitted by Benton Foundation on July 9, 2008 - 7:07pmThe Federal Communications Commission is reviewing public comments on how to reform the federal Universal Service Fund. The proposed reforms raise many significant policy questions.
